Vault for subterranean conduits.



Patented Dec. l2, I899. C. G. EDWARDS &. C. E. PHELPS, In.

VAULT FOB SUBTERBANEAN CONDUITSf 1 (Application filed Apt. 17, 1899.)(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

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No. 638,803. Patented Dec. I2, I899. c. a. EDWARDS & c. E. PHELPS, 1n.VAULT FOR SUBTEBBANEAN CONDUITS.

(Application filed Apr. 17, 1899.)

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OEEic CHARLES G. EDXVARDS AND CHARLES E. PHELPS,JR., OF BALTIMOR MARYLAND.

VAULT FOR SUBTERRANEAN CONDUITS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,803, dated December12, 1899.

Application filed April 17, 1899- To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that we, CHARLES G. EDWARDS and CHARLES E. PHELPS, J r., ofthe city of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certainImprovements in Vaults for Subterranean Conduits, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to the peculiar formation of the manhole-platesand their frames used in the construction of vaults which give access tosubterranean conduits for electriclight, telephone, and other wires, aswill hereinafter fully appear.

In the description of the said invention which follows reference is madeto the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which-Figure 1 is a plan of the vault, together with the framework and manholeappliances which cover it. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of thevault with the frame for the manholeplates in full. Fig. 3 is anenlarged top view of the manhole-plate frame and one-half of the upperplate. Fig. 4c is a half-section of Fig. 3 taken on the dotted line x:20. Fig. 5 is a half-section of Fig. 3 taken on the dotted line 7 3Referring now to the drawings, A is the vault, and l) b are the wallsthereof.

B B are I-beams, and C C are channelplates built in the walls I) andtied together by bolts 0.

D D are brick arches supported by the I- beams and channel-plates.

The I-beams sustain the frame for the manhole-plates, which consist of afoundationplate E, havinga hollow body or shell F, which is ellipticalat its base, or where it adjoins the base-plate, and circular at thetop. The interior of the shell constitutes the manhole through whichaccess is had to the vault A.

An ordinary ladder is used as means to reach the bottom of the vault,and it is placed so that its upper end will rest against the innersurface of the wall of the frame. The upper end of the ladderconsequently reduced the effective opening in the lower part of theframe, and if the manhole is made cylindrical its diameter has to bemuch greater than that actually required for the passage of the body ofa man. lVe obviate the difliculty by mak- Serial No. 713,231. (Nomodel.)

ing the manhole at the lower end of the frame elliptical or oval, or, inother words, with recesses or extensions to receive the upper end of theladder, and the said recesses are placed diametrically opposite eachother, so that either recess may be used. The frame may therefore bemuch smaller and of less weight than one having a cylindrical hole ofthe same effective size.

G is the manholeplate, applied to the un der side of the frame topreventsurface water entering the vault. It is provided with a peripheralgroove 61, in which a gasket f is placed to form a tight joint, and ishinged to the frame at one side 'of the manhole. The hinges consist ofstuds g, projecting from the bottom of the frame, similar studs h on the1 plate, and connecting-linksj. This descrip tion of hinge is welladapted for the purpose, for the reason that it does not prevent theplate being drawn up equally at all points in its circumference, bymeans of bolts hereinafter referred to. The plate G when closed issecured by means of bolts 10, hinged to the bars m, castin the plate G,which pass through slots 12 in lugs 0, situated in pockets 19, formed inthe wall of the frame and situated exteriorly of its innercircumference. By placing the lugs 0 exteriorly of the innercircumference of the manhole, as described, there are no obstructingparts to interfere with a person passing through the manhole.

H is the circular upper manhole-plate, which rests on an annularshoulder 'r Within the frame. It is preferably dished, as seen from theunder side, and ribbed, and the recess s at the upper side is filledwith asphalt, concrete, or some other suitable paving material.

The frame is not necessarily secured to the I-beams, as it is held bythe surrounding street-pavement J, which in the present case consists ofblocks laid on concrete.

In Fig. 2 a wire-conduit (denoted by K) is shown as entering the Vault.

Ve claim as our invention 1. A manhole-plate frame for the purposedescribed, the wall of which is circular at the top and elliptical atthe bottom whereby recesses are formed at points diametrically opposite,substantially as specified.

2. In combination with a manhole-plate frame, a plate hinged to theunder side of the frame and held thereto by means of bolts,substantially as specified.

3. In combination with a manhole-plate frame, a plate hinged to theunder side thereof by means of link-hinges, and secured by bolts,substantially as specified.

i. In a manhole-plate frame for the purpose described, the Wall thereofprovided with pockets which are exterior of the inner circumferentialline of the Wall, and lugs in the pockets which are slotted to receiveholdingbolts of a plate situated below the said frame, substantially asspecified.

5. In combination with a frame for manhole-plates, having pocketssituated exteriorly of the inner surface of the hole, and slotted lugs,Within the said pockets, substantially as described, a plate hinged tothe under side of the frame having hinged bolts adapted to be swungthrough the slots in the lugs into the said pockets and held thereat bynuts, substantially as specified.

CHARLES ej EDWARDS. CHARLES E. PHELPS, JR.

Witnesses:

WM. T. HOWARD, HARRY E. FEE.

